FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2017, file photo, Iowa's Josh Jackson (15) celebrates with teammate Miles Taylor, left, after intercepting a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against North Texas, in Iowa City, Iowa. Next week’s Pinstripe Bowl in New York could be Iowa junior cornerback Josh Jackson’s last game as a Hawkeye.
Jackson said Tuesday, Dec. 19. 2017, that he’s “50-50” on whether he’ll come back for his senior season, adding that he’ll likely announce his plans for 2018 after the Hawkeyes (7-5) face Boston College (7-5) on Dec. 27 at Yankee Stadium. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)(Photo: The Associated Press)

Jackson, a highly athletic defensive back, finished with an FBS-best eight interceptions in a season that ended with him earning unanmous All-American honors. He returned two of those interceptions for touchdowns. His eight picks tied a program record.

Iowa defensive back Josh Jackson, left, runs a drill with receiver Henry Marchese prior to kickoff against Boston College during the 2017 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017.
Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

Iowa's Josh Jackson (15) breaks up a pass intended for Purdue's Jarrett Burgess (80) during the first half of their football game at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes take a 9-7 lead into halftime
Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa safety Miles Taylor, front, helped cornerback Josh Jackson (15) learn how to get his life in order to do what it takes to become a big-time player. Both are in their fourth year in the Hawkeye program.
Charlie Neibergall, AP

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Jackson was a lightly recruited prospect out of Texas and he developed into a highly productive player with prototype size (6-foot-1, 192 pounds) and athleticism (he was an elite high jumper in high school). He didn't start at Iowa until the final game of his redshirt sophomore season, in a loss to Florida in the 2017 Outback Bowl.

He entered this season as a bit of an unknown, but foreshadowed what was to come in the season-opening win over Wyoming with an interception of Josh Allen, another potential first-round NFL Draft pick. Jackson was at his best in big games, recording three interceptions in an upset of Ohio State and returning two picks for touchdowns in a loss at Wisconsin.

Jackson told reporters all along that he was aware of what was being said about him by NFL scouts, but that he wanted to wait until after the season to announce his decision. He is on pace to earn his degree in May, although preparing for the April draft may put that on hold.